Eight Lives Down
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Review
.,." packed with such powerful descriptions of coming under fire that at times you begin to imagine you have picked up the script for a Hollywood action movie."
--"London Lite"
"Will do for Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush what McNab did for Saddam and George Senior"
--"Evening Standard"
"You're left in awe and wondering if we're paying Our Boys enough for going through this kind of hell. And doubting it."
--"Books Sport" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--"London Lite"
"Will do for Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush what McNab did for Saddam and George Senior"
--"Evening Standard"
"You're left in awe and wondering if we're paying Our Boys enough for going through this kind of hell. And doubting it."
--"Books Sport" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Conn Iggulden, author of The Dangerous Book For Boys
One of the best true stories you'll ever read - and better than fiction can ever hope to be. Don't start it tonight if you have to get up for work in the morning!
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a non-fiction account of the tour of duty of a British bomb disposal expert in Iraq. The title is a reference to the fact that the bomb disposal squad in Northern Ireland were called "Felix" (meaning that they have nine lives, like a cat). It's an amazing story, so packed with action and danger that it would seem unbelievable if it were fiction. The first half in particular is so fast-paced that you find yourself longing for the occasional brief interludes of downtime just so that you can catch a breath! The book was very reminiscent for me of the American film "The Kingdom" - and it made me realise that the film was more realistic than I had previously thought.
Chris Hunter is a very likeable narrator who is also extremely brave and passionate about what he does. He doesn't just bring the action scenes alive, but also manages to convey what it is that soldiers love about what they do, even when it puts them in extreme danger. He also talks a lot about his family back in the UK and the strains that his army career put on his marriage. This fleshes his character out and makes it a far more interesting book than if it were just about the action on the ground.
I did feel that parts of this book got a little hard to follow due to the military jargon, but that is probably more a reflection on the fact that this is an unusual choice of book for me rather than on the book itself. I was engrossed in Eight Lives Down and I highly recommend it.
Chris Hunter is a very likeable narrator who is also extremely brave and passionate about what he does. He doesn't just bring the action scenes alive, but also manages to convey what it is that soldiers love about what they do, even when it puts them in extreme danger. He also talks a lot about his family back in the UK and the strains that his army career put on his marriage. This fleshes his character out and makes it a far more interesting book than if it were just about the action on the ground.
I did feel that parts of this book got a little hard to follow due to the military jargon, but that is probably more a reflection on the fact that this is an unusual choice of book for me rather than on the book itself. I was engrossed in Eight Lives Down and I highly recommend it.
46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My husband bought me this book, and for once he was absolutely right - I LOVED it. Breathtakingly exciting, poignant, funny and heartbreaking by turns, I can't imagine anyone not being knocked out by it. Chris Hunter is the man that stands in between us and the bomb - and whilst I knew I was reading about his incredible experiences in Iraq, I kept thinking he could be describing a landscape an awful lot closer to home...
Unlike a lot of soldiers' memoirs, EIGHT LIVES DOWN is written with incredible emotional honesty. As he battles his way through heartstopping ambushes, dismantles lethal explosive devices, tries to track down the bomber teams who have made HIM their principal target, and attempts to keep his marriage off the rocks, I was with him every step of the way.
It's beautifully written too - and I particularly liked the thought-provoking quotes which head every chapter. Chris Hunter's publishers have compared this to BRAVO TWO ZERO; well they would, wouldn't they?! But they're right - it's every bit as brilliant, if not even more so.
Unlike a lot of soldiers' memoirs, EIGHT LIVES DOWN is written with incredible emotional honesty. As he battles his way through heartstopping ambushes, dismantles lethal explosive devices, tries to track down the bomber teams who have made HIM their principal target, and attempts to keep his marriage off the rocks, I was with him every step of the way.
It's beautifully written too - and I particularly liked the thought-provoking quotes which head every chapter. Chris Hunter's publishers have compared this to BRAVO TWO ZERO; well they would, wouldn't they?! But they're right - it's every bit as brilliant, if not even more so.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I will start by saying that any review of this book will always fall short of doing it justice.
This is a fantastic read, written with intelligence and wit, and as the previous review said a brutal honesty.
It made me laugh and at times left a lump in my throat.
This is easy to read even if you have no military background but just enough "squaddie" quotes to make a serving or former soldier to smile.
I think this would appeal to all, civillian's, serving soldier's and retired alike. This is the best military book I have read in a long while.
Even if you disagree with the war for any reason please read this book and get some understanding for the amazing self sacrifice that our soldier's are making on a daily basis.
This is a fantastic read, written with intelligence and wit, and as the previous review said a brutal honesty.
It made me laugh and at times left a lump in my throat.
This is easy to read even if you have no military background but just enough "squaddie" quotes to make a serving or former soldier to smile.
I think this would appeal to all, civillian's, serving soldier's and retired alike. This is the best military book I have read in a long while.
Even if you disagree with the war for any reason please read this book and get some understanding for the amazing self sacrifice that our soldier's are making on a daily basis.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Captivated
From the moment I started to read this book to the moment I finished it I was hooked. Every page lets you feel the tension, pressure and anguish. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SHyatt
Unbelievably courageous.
This book is so interesting right from the first page.
It takes you to the front line with the author and his comrades. Read more
It takes you to the front line with the author and his comrades. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dot
eight lives down
This is an excellent book. I have seen a presentation by Major Hunter. It gives you a insight to the military side of the job , but also the effect / pressure on the personal side... Read more
Published 6 months ago by wilkieman
Top Top Effort
Quite possibly one of the best books ever along the lines with the sniper one..
what a man..honest and human...really really enjoyed it..best of luck to you .. Read more
what a man..honest and human...really really enjoyed it..best of luck to you .. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Amit Dhoj Khadka
A very different war memoir - CSI and soldier combined
Eight lives down is a revealing insight into what has to be one of the most dangerous jobs on earth: working for the bomb disposal unit of the British Army. Read more
Published 12 months ago by The Truth
Excellent read
I read this book while on holiday and found it to be a rivetting read. Over the last number of months I have read a number of books on the Afgan and Irac conflicts, I rate this... Read more
Published 15 months ago by jim
Got two 'non-readers' reading!
I have not got around to reading this book myself but my husband and 21 year old son have both read it and couldn't put it down...this from two men who rarely read. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Holmemaker
so funny
you might think the title is strange for such a serious subject,but this is so bad its funny.at a recent party a friend gave me this to look at. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. T. J. Smith
Mental Toughness
I just do not know how these guys in EOD do their job. Read this and it might help you understand why so many win medals. They are the best of the best.
Published 18 months ago by Portlander
not worth reading
I have read a fair amount of non fictional books of similar subjects, but this one was by far the worst of all. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mac Paco
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